Field



No. 749,301. PATENTED JAN. 12, 1904.

. W. H. KILBOURN.

TROLLEY STAND.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.14, 1902.

HO MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

r Ld L;

\X/ITNEEEEE; INVENTEIRI 1 PATENTEDJ JAN. 12, 1904.

W. KILBOURN.

TROLLEY STAND.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.14, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented January 12, 1904.

PAT NT OEEIcE.

WASHINGTON H. KILBOURN, OF GREENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE STANLEY ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PITTS- FlELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

TROLLEY-STAND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 749,301, .afed January 12, 1904.

Application filed August 14, 1902.

i To all, whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WASHINGTON H. KIL- BOURN, of Greenfield, in the county of Franklin and State of Massachusetts, have invented cer- 5 tain new and useful Improvements in Trolley- Stands, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to stands or bases for trolley-arms on electric cars; and it has for its object to provide a trolley-stand which shall be simple, compact, and relatively inexpen- 1 sive in construction and efficient in operation and also to provide simple and eflicient means for automatically arresting or checking the 5 upward movement of the trolley-arm in case such movement becomes excessively rapid, as .when the trolley leaves the wire, the automatic stoppage of the arm preventing damage to vcross-wires, &c., such as would be caused if the arm were allowed to swing upwardly under the full force of the springs which raise it, The invention consists in the improvements which I will now proceed to describe anc claim.

I 5 Of the accompanying drawings, forming a i The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

In the drawings, (4 represents the fixed member of my improved trolley-stand, the. same being formed for attachment to the roof of a 4 car or to any other suitable support. The member a is preferably of circular form and I is constructed to form an oil-chamber 3.

Z) represents the movable member of the stand, said member being formed to enter and rotate in the fixed member a and constitute a cover for the oil-chamber 3. I

The members a and b are provided with intel-locking shoulders or members, which are main arm or extension 6.

Serial Nc. 119,636. (No model.)

located in the lower portion of the chamber 3,

so that they are immersed in the oil contained 5 in said chamber, the said interlocking shoulders being in sliding engagement with each other, so that the movable member 6 is permitted to turn freely. As here shown, the interlocking members comprise an inwardlyprojecting annular rib 4, formed on the interior of the fixed member a, a flange 5, formed on the under side of themovable member 6, the lower edge of said flange bearing on the upper side of the annular rib 4L, and bent ears or lugs 6 6, afilxed to the flange 5 and projecting under the under side of the annular rib 4, the lugs 6 being preferably detachabl y secured to the flange 5 by-bolts 7 7 i 0 represents the inner or base portion of 5 the trolley-arm, the same being pivoted at 0' between ears d d, formed on or affixed to the movable member 6. I

6 represents a spring-holding arm or extension formed on or affixed to the movable mem- 7 0 her 6 and projecting in a substantially horibeing preferably formed as an open frame,

as indicated in Fig. 2, the opening between the side portions of said frame accommodating the fluid-chamber f, hereinafter described. To the outer portion of the arm c are connected substantially horizontal contractile springs g g, of which there are preferably four, two at each side of the extension 0, said springs being preferably connected by rods g g with lateral extensions or cars e e on the The springs g extend across the ends of the trolley-arm pivot 5 or axis a and are located in a plane which is substantially coincident with the plane of said axisthat is to say, the height ofthe center line of the springs is substantially the same as that of the center line of the pivot or axis 9 0, although of course the springs 0 may be somewhat higher or somewhat lower relatively to the axis 0 than here shown. I desire to draw special attention, however, to the fact that the springs are not necessarily located below the axis 0 and may, if desired, be located above that axis, the relative arrangement of the springs and the axis 0 here shown being widely different from that in the ordinary trolley-stand using contractile springs, said springs in the ordinary trolley-stand being located a considerable distance below the axis of the trolley-arm. The ends of the springs opposite those connected with the rods g g are connected with means additional to the trolley-arm for causing the contractile force of the springs to exert upward movement on the trolley-arm. In the present embodiment of my invention said means are as follows:

i represents a lever, which is pivoted at 2" to the trolley-arm, the pivot 2" being elevated above the axis 0 of the trolley-arm not only when the trolley-arm is raised, as shown in Fig. 3, but also when it is depressed, as shown in Fig. 1. The lever d, which is preferably formed as a frame, the side portions of which are located at opposite sides of the trolleyarm, is inclined downwardly from its pivoted end to its outer or swinging end, the latter being preferably provided with antifrictionrollers d j represents a guide preferably composed of two members 9 9, as shown in Fig. 2, said guide being aflixed to or formed on the movable member Z) and projecting therefrom at the opposite side of the trolley pivot or axis 0 from the spring-supporting arm or extension 6. The guide j is preferably inclined, as

shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and supports the rollers i on the lever z. The relative arrangement of the guide j, trolley-arm c, lever z', and springs g is such that the contractile force of the springs causes the lower end of the lever to move inwardly on the guide 7' and exert an upward pressure on the trolley-arm, so that Whenever the springs are allowed to contract the trolley-arm is forced upwardly and whenever the trolley-arm is depressed the springs are extended.

It'will be seen that the described means for imparting upward movement from the horizontally-contracting springs to the trolleyarm permit the above-described relative arrangement of the springs and the pivot or axis 0 of the trolley-arm, or, in other words, permit the pivot or axis 0 to be located as close to the roof of the car as may be desired and, if desired, below the springs 9. By thus bringing the axis of oscillation of the trolleyarm close to the roof of the car I obtain a much more solid, durable, and reliable construction than is obtained when the axis of the trolleyarm is elevated considerably above the roof of the car, as is usually the case when the contractile springs are employed to raise the trolley-arm, the construction heretofore used requiring the interposition of the contractile springs between the axis of the trolley-arm and the roof of the car. I would also point out that because of the described construction the springs do not carry the entire deadweight of the trolley-arm, for the trolley-arm is largely supported by the guide 1', acting through the arm or lever d. This is due to the fact that the arm or lever in its normal position makes a substantial angle with the guide. Hence with this construction I can use fewer or lighter springs than have hitherto been used. This arm or lever performs a strut function.

The fluid-reservoir f, above referred to, is provided with laterally-extending trunnions f f, which are journaled in bearings formed in the sides of the arm or extension 6. Said reservoir has at one end a chamber f containing a piston m, and at the other end a storage-chamber f Said chambers are connected by a duct f which includes an enlarged portion f containing a valve adapted to be seated on that portion of the duct which intervenes between the enlarged portion f and the storage-chamber f The valve f G normally rests on a supporting-cage or holder f out of contact with its seat, so that the duct between the two chambers is normally open. The piston m is provided with a rod m, which is pivotally connected at m with the trolley-arm c. The storagechamber f 3 is intended to contain any suitable fluid, which may be either gaseous or liquid.

Preferably the said chamber will contain a suitable liquid, such as oil or glycerin. Under normal conditions a portion of the liquid in the chamber f will flow into the adjacent end of the chamber f 2 or between the inner end of the last-named chamber and the piston m. When the trolley-arm moves upwardly at a relatively slow rate, as when following the undulations of the trolley-wire or when being guided upwardly by means of the ordinary trolley-rope to engage the trolley-wire, the liquid in the inner end of the chamber f 2 will flow by reason of the displacing-pressure of the piston through the normally open duct into the storage-cham her f*. In case, however, the trolley-arm is suddenly released, as when the trolley-wheel leaves the wire, so that the full force of the spring is exerted on it to move it upwardly, the rapid motion thus imparted will cause sufficient pressure on the fluid between the piston and the inner end of the chamber f to close thevalve f, thus preventing further flow of the fluid into the storage-chamber f and causing the fluid remaining in the inner end of the chamber f to arrest or greatly retard the inward movement of the piston and the upward movement of the trolley-arm, thus preventing any injurious contactbetwe'en the trolley-wheel and any objects which it might encounter in its upward movement.

The reservoir f is preferably provided with a passage f (shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2,) extending from the storage-chamber f to outer end portion of the chamberf and ad apted to conduct liquid that may find its way into the outer endof the chamber f or to the left of the piston, as viewed in Fig. 3, back to the chamber f when the piston is moved outwardly by the depression of the trolley-pole.

In Fig. 4 I show a modification in which the fiuld-reservoir f contalns but one chamberthat is, the chamber in which the piston moves-the piston mhaving an orifice extending through it, so that the fluid can pass through the piston from one end portion of the piston-chamber to the other. The piston is provided with a valve 19, connected with the piston by a spring 9, which holds the valve open when the piston is moving slowly or normally in the direction indicated by the arrow. When the piston commences to move at an increased speed, the pressure of the fluid on the spring causes the latter to move toward the piston, thus closing the valve, preventing the flow of the liquid through the orifice 0, and checking or stopping the movement of the piston and the upward movement of the trolleyarm. In this modification, as Well as in the construction shown in Fig. 3, provision is made for permitting a movement of the fluid from one part of the reservoir to another when the piston is moving at a slow or normal rate and for preventing such movement of the fluid 1 when the piston commences to move more'rapidly. The subject-matter of this modification is shown and specifically claimed in another application for Letters Patent of the United States, filed by me April 1, 1902, Serial No.

I claim- 1. The combination in a trolley-base of a suitable support, a trolley-arm hinged to said support, a rigid member secured at one end to the trolley-arm, a guide for the other end of said member adapted to 7 receive the thrust therefrom, and a spring acting upon saidmemher and tending to move its free end along the guide.

2. The combination in a trolley-base of a suitable support, a trolley-arm hinged to said support, a rigid member pivotally secured at oneend of the trolley-arm, a guide for the other end of said member adapted to receive the thrust therefrom, and atension device acting on said member intending to move its free end along the guide.

3. The combination in a trolley-base of a suitable support, a trolley-arm hinged to said support, a rigid member connected to the trolley-arm and engaging said support, and normally transmitting to said support the thrust due to the weight of the trolley-arm, and a spring acting upon said member tending to move the free end of said member toward the trolley-arm and thereby imparting an upward pressure to the trolley-arm.

4. The combination in a trolley-base, of the hinged trolley-arm, an inclined guide, a rigid member projecting from said trolley-arm and at its other end in contact with said guide,

and a tension device for imparting upward pressure to the trolley-arm and moving the end of said member along said guide in constant engagement therewith.

5. The combination in a trolley-base of the hinged trolley-arm, an inclined guide, a rigid member projecting from said trolley-arm and at its other end in contact with said guide and making a substantial angle therewith, and a tension device for imparting upward pres sure to the trolley-arm and moving the end of said member along said guide in constant engagement therewith.

6. The combination in a trolley-base, of a trolley-arm hinged at itslower end to a suitable support, a rigid member secured to the arm above its hinge and projecting downward therefrom, a guide contacting with the lower end of said member, and springs connecting the lower end of said member with the said support.

7. The combination in a trolley-base, of a trolley-arm hinged at its lower end to a suitable support, a rigid member secured to the arm above its hinge and projecting downward therefrom, an inclined guide contacting with the lower endof said member, and springs connecting the lower end of said member-with the said support.

8. The combination in a trolley-base of a trolley-arm hinged to a suitable support, a guide carried by said support, arigid memher hinged to the trolley-arm and at its end a movable along said guide and normally transmitting to said guide the thrust due to the weight of the trolley-arm, and springs connected to said member and to the said support.

9. The combination in a trolley-base, of a trolley-arm hinged at its end to a suitable support, a member connected to said trolleyarm near the lower end thereof, a fixed support for the lower end of said member at a substantial angle thereto, and means for applying pressure to the said member so that it will push upward againstthe trolley-arm.

10. A trolley-base comprising a fixed member, amovable member rotatably engaged with the fixed member, a trolley-arm pivoted to the movable member, contractile springs connected with the movable member at one side of the axis of oscillation of the trolley-arm and extending across said axis in a plane substantially coincident with the plane of the axis, a guide in fixed relation to the said movable member, a strut extending from said trolleyarm to saidguide, and connections between said spring and said strut.

11. A trolley-base comprising a fixed member, a movable member rotatably engaged wi th the fixed member, a trolley-arm pivoted to the movable I member, substantially horizontal contractilesprings connected with the movable member at one side of the axis of oscillation of the trolley-arm, and extending across with the plane of the axis, a strut pivoted to the trolley-arm above its axis of oscillation and inclined downwardly from its pivotal connection, its lower end being connected with said springs, and a guide for said lever rigidly affixed to the movable member.

12. A trolley-base comprising a fixed member, a movable'member rotatably engaged with the fixed member, a trolley-arm pivoted to the movable member, substantially horizontal contractile springs connected with the movable member at one side of the axis of oscillation of the trolley-arm, and-extending across said axis in a plane substantially coincident with the plane of the axis, a lever pivoted to the trolley-arm above its-axis of oscillation and inclined downwardly from its pivotal connection, its lower end being connected with said springs, and a guide for said lever rigidly aflixed to the movable member, said guide being inclined.

13. The combination of a trolley-base, a trolley-arm pivoted thereto, means for imparting a yielding upward movement to the arm, and a fluid-controlled check or stop connecting the arm with the base and having self-contained automatic means operated by a relatively rapid movement of the arm to check or stop the arm.

14. The combination of a trolley-base, a trolley-arm pivoted thereto, means for imparting a yielding upward movement to the arm, a fluid-reservoir having two chambers, a movable abutment in one of said chambers connected with the trolley-arm, means for permitting movement of a fluid from one chamher to the other to permit a relatively slow movement of the arm and abutment, and an automatic device operated by a relatively rapid movement of the arm to prevent said movement of the fluid and check or stop the arm.

15. A trolley-base comprising a fixed member, a movable member rotatably engaged with the fixed member, a trolley-arm pivoted to the movable member, means for exerting upward pressure on said arm, a fluid-reservoir pivotally connected with the movable member and having a piston-chamberand a storage-chamber connected with the pistonchamber by a duct, a normally open valve in said duct adapted to be closed by an increase of fluid-pressure in the piston-chamber and pre vent the passage of fluid from the piston-chamber to the storage-chamber, a piston in said chamber and a connection between the piston and the trolley-arm.

16. The combination of a pivoted trolleyarm, means for imparting a yielding upward movement thereto, a fluid-reservoir connected with the base or support of the arm and containing a body of fluid, a piston movable in said reservoir and connected with the trolleyarm, means for permitting a movement of the fluid from one part of the reservoir to another to permit a relatively slow movement of the piston and arm, and an automatic device operated by a relatively rapid movement of the arm to prevent said movement of the fluid and stop or check the arm.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses. 1

WASHINGTON H. KILBOURN.

Witnesses:

C. F. BROWN, E. BATOHELDER. 

